Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that easy availability of essential items at reasonable rates is being ensured to the masses during Ramzan-ul-Mubarak and the elements involved in profiteering and smuggling will be awarded strict punishment.
He said this while presiding over a high-level meeting here on Friday regarding Ramzan Package. Shahbaz directed that arrangements for free Aftari for poor persons be made in all districts of the province. He also formed a special committee comprising senior officers for monitoring price and supply situation of essential commodities during Ramzan. The committee will conduct raids in different areas of the province and submit report to the chief minister.
Minister for Food Malik Nadeem Kamran, Chairman Task Force SA Hameed, Chaudhry Samiullah, Chief Secretary, Addl Chief Secretary, Secretary Food, Secretary Finance, Secretary Services, Secretary Home, DCO Lahore and Regional Co-ordination Officers of different areas of Punjab also attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that the provision of essential items to the masses at reasonable rates during Ramzan is the responsibility of the government and solid measures are being taken for this purpose. He directed Chief Secretary to form five teams comprising senior officers for curbing smuggling and these teams be sent to Rajanpur, DG Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Bhakkar and Attock districts immediately.
He further directed that monitoring system be improved and a complete record of every flour bag be maintained which is supplied from the flour mills. He also issued instructions for setting up special teams comprising MNAs and MPAs at district level for keeping a watchful eye on the prices and availability of articles of daily use.
Shahbaz said the committees of senior officers will pay surprise visits to different areas and would submit him a report about the price and supply situation. Earlier, Chief Secretary Punjab, Home Secretary and Chairman Task Force briefed the meeting about price and supply situation of consumer items. The Chief Secretary informed that supply of flour bags at the rate of Rs 300 per bag has been ensured. He said that prices of essential items are stable in the province and their supply to consumers at reasonable rates is being maintained.
Home Secretary informed that 21 Ramzaan Bazaars and 1,054 fair price shops have been established in the provincial metropolis whereas 553 first class magistrates have also been posted across the province for controlling prices. The Chief Minister directed Secretary Food to increase wheat quota of flour mills if necessary, however, strict monitoring be ensured so that it should reach the consumers.
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